Pirates’ hoops nab win, loss

The Cascade Locks Pirates played games last week against Central Christian and Ione high schools. They first traveled to Prineville to face the Central Christian Tigers, where the Pirate girls swept the game in a 51-19 blowout. Although the boys didn’t have it as easy, they too walked away with a win — 56-52. On Saturday the Pirates hosted very strong Ione squads. The Cascade Locks girls lost by 52-42. The boys’ game came down the very end, with the Pirates missing out on an upset win by a single point for a 51-50 loss.

The following are game recaps:

Girls vs. Central Christian

The Cascade Locks girls ran away with a lopsided victory in Prineville against the Tigers. Nicole Martin scored inside and out to start the first quarter with seven straight points. Every Pirate starter scored in the first quarter, as the team took a 16-2 lead. The second quarter was more of the same, as Mohr and Martin helped build the lead to 23 points by halftime. A balanced attack led to 18 points in the third as the Pirates pulled away even further. Kelli Haskins contributed with points from inside and the Pirates’ defense stifled Central Christian.

Coach Donna Nolin rested her starters in the fourth quarter, giving playing time to the team’s younger girls. Sophomore Kristen Rutherford seized the opportunity for the second time in as many weeks, leading the Pirates in the final period.

High scorers were Nicole Martin with 18 and Heather Mohr with 12.

Boys vs. Central Christian

The Cascade Locks boys overcame a physical pounding in Prineville. The Pirates attacked early in the game, with Sam Thomas and Derrick Harbaugh nailing three-pointers. A series of turnovers stalled the game until Harbaugh scored three for Cascade Locks again. Chris Taylor came in the game and nabbed two crucial rebounds for the Pirates but Central scored on two consecutive circus shots to take a 13-10 lead after the first quarter.

The second quarter began with Derek Kelley stealing an inbounds pass and taking it all the way for an easy two. Central played a very physical contest, causing the Pirates to adjust with quick passing and outside shooting. Daniel Nolin scored on a reverse lay up to give Cascade Locks a 24-22 lead at halftime.

The Pirates rallied on inside buckets by Joe Nolin, who played solid through heavy traffic. When Joe picked up his fourth foul, Daniel Nolin came in the game. The younger Nolin went on a tear – rebounding, stealing the ball and scoring eight straight points to keep the Pirates even. He then hit two free throws to seal the game for the pirates at 56-52.

High scorers were Joe Nolin with 16 points, Daniel Nolin with 14 points and Sam Thomas with 12 points.

Girls vs. Ione

After a late night bus ride from Prineville the night before, the girls ran out of gas at home against a tough Ione squad.

Ione’s half court offense and scrappy physical defense helped them to a 28-19 halftime lead. The Pirates continued to hustle, but the opposition’s offense exploited cracks in the Cascade Locks defense to add to their lead. Cascade Locks chipped away to bring the deficit back to 10 points halfway through the fourth quarter. The game would end with that defecit, and the visitors took the game.

The Cascade Locks boys gave everything they had in a close- fought game against the league’s top-ranked Ione Cardinals.

The Pirate defense held Ione scoreless for the first four minutes of the game, but they could not take advantage at the offensive end. After several misses, Thomas finally warmed up and the Pirates took command with a 13-8 lead after the first quarter.

After battling back and forth in a close second quarter, Thomas ended the half in his signature fashion by dropping a three point bomb to give Cascade Locks the lead.

The fourth quarter, back and forth battle set the scene for a dramatic finish to the game. Ione took the lead with under a minute left. Derek Kelley took the inbounds pass the length of the court and laid in what appeared to be the winning points for the Pirates. But Ione threw up a desperation shot and the rebound bounced out off a Cascade Locks player. The ensuing inbound play resulted in a lay up and two points for Ione. The Pirates couldn’t get off a shot in the last four seconds and Ione escaped with the 51-50 victory.